Lamination error Coin Errors
What is a lamination error error?
A lamination error is caused by impurities or trapped gas in the planchet metal alloy. When the coin is struck, the impurity layer separates and either remains as a visible flaw, lifts as a flap, or peels off entirely. Most common on bronze, brass and steel-cored coins. Lamination errors are interesting curiosities but generally low-value compared to mules or off-centres.
How to spot one
- Look for raised flaps, peeling flakes, or visible internal layers in the metal.
- Run a fingernail across the coin's surface — laminations often catch.
- Check for parallel cracks on copper-plated steel coins (1992+ 1p, 2p) where the copper plating splits.
- Verify the coin retains correct weight after the lamination event.
Authentication
Easy to fake by physical damage, so authentication matters. True laminations show internal metal grain that matches the coin's alloy, with no tooling marks. PCGS/NGC will note "lamination" as a variety.
Famous UK examples
Copper plating peeling from steel core — common on post-1992 coins.
Internal alloy delamination on solid bronze pennies.
Key-date UK coins worth examining
Errors on key-date coins compound rarity — the host coin is already scarce, and the error multiplies the value. Browse the rarest UK coins in our catalogue: